Washington County is seeking election judges to serve communities by staffing local polling places on Primary Election Day on Sept. 9, General Election Day on Nov. 4, and during any special elections. Judges may be asked to serve in the precinct where they live or elsewhere. Judges may serve all day 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; or a partial day from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.; or from 2 p.m. until the election is completed. Judges must be eligible to vote in Minnesota and able to read, write, and speak English. They cannot be a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of any election judge serving in the same precinct. They cannot be a candidate or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of any candidate on the ballot in that precinct. College students at least 18-years-old may serve as judges and high school students 16-years-old and older may serve as trainee election judges. To request a brochure from of the Minnesota Secretary of State, call 651-215-1440 or 1-877-600-8683. Duties of an election judge include setting up and taking down the polling place, operating voting equipment, assisting voters during the registration and voting processes and then determining polling place election results after the polls close. Residents may become an election judge by completing the application form available on the web site at: www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/atse/elections/how_do_i_become_an_election_judge/ and mail it to: Washington County Elections, PO Box 6, Stillwater, MN 55082-0006.
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The Scandia City Council is looking for volunteers to serve on the park and recreation committee, to fill the vacancy recently created by the resignation of David Smith. The nine-member committee meets the first Monday of each month, and advises the city council on all matters relating to parks and recreation activities. The committee is involved in numerous new and exciting projects, as planning occurs for parks, trails and open space. Recently the committee has worked on plans for Lilleskogen Park (formerly Lion’s Park) and trail improvements at Wind in the Pines Park. In January, they sponsored the “Vinterfest” community event and the open gym program at Scandia Elementary School. Applications for the committee seat are available from the city office and on the website www.ci.scandia.mn.us and should be submitted by March 12.
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The Scandia City Council appointed two new members to the planning commission. Thomas Krinke, a six-year resident of the city, was appointed to a five-year term ending in 2013. Susan Rodsjo has lived in Scandia two and one-half years and will fill a term expiring in 2011. They replace long-time members Kevin Nickelson and Jim (Moose) Malmquist, whose terms recently expired. The five-member planning commission reviews land development applications for conformance to the city’s comprehensive plan and development code, and makes recommendations to the council. They also participate in developing long-range plans, and in revising and updating the codes and ordinances governing land use in the city. Krinke and Rodsjo will also participate in the comprehensive plan committee, currently working on updating long-range plans for the city. The appointments last week followed a round of interviews of applicants by council members.
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Wyoming City Council has adopted the memorandum of agreement between the city of Wyoming and Wyoming Township to pave the way for a new company to move to Wyoming. The agreement will govern issues related to the development of the Xccent property in Wyoming Township. The site parallels the freeway, south of the Fairview hospital campus and is in process of being annexed to the city.
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What standards should be required for a shared driveway? Does it depend on how many homes use the driveway? Should the homeowners be required to pay for an inspection? These questions were discussed by the Columbus City Council at their meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 13.
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 For the first time in Forest Lake High School history, student actors presented a one-act play in the state festival. The FLHS play, “The Boys Next Door,” recently earned first place in the region 7AA One Act Play competition. The cast and crew joined seven other schools at the state festival on Feb. 8 at The College of St. Catherine O’Shaughnessey Auditorium.
The Forest Lake High School play, “The Boys Next Door,” recently earned first place in the region 7AA One Act Play competition. The cast and crew includes (seated left to right) Ben Tolzmann, Gweir Glewwe, Sam Kolbow, Derek Waller and Bailey Parenteau. Standing are Jill Whitney-Birk (director) Bre’Elle Erickson and Sara Palmer. Not pictured are Leigh Sieverson, Rich Ziegler and Jessica Kelley.
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Sami Grimes
Contributing Writer
I love date night. Since I got married, date night is a chance for my husband and me to forget about the product order shipments and deadlines for taxes, remembering instead what it feels like to go out and enjoy an evening worry free.
This past Friday, our “date night” happened to include tickets to see “The Fantasticks” put on by Forest Lake’s artsy-child Masquers Theatre Company. I have been lucky enough to review many of Masquers Theatre’s productions in the past; always looking forward to seeing what new creation of classics they have to offer.
This year, however, I was a little hesitant. Why one might ask? For the first time in the company’s history, Masquers Theatre, in conjunction with Stella’s on 97, is putting on a dinner theater.
My first thought was, “Stella’s? Is that Dummy’s/The Lobster Shack/Vannelli’s?” I had not had the opportunity to eat at the Ironwood Banquet center, which is where the dinner theater takes place and is directly inside Stella’s, but I was eager to experience it all.
The food
Attendees who decide to partake in the dinner portion are to arrive at 6 p.m. for evening performances and 12:30 p.m. for matinee performances. Patrons can indulge in a buffet of pasta dishes with salad and breadsticks. This is probably where you lovely readers are thinking “Ohhh, here comes the bad wedding food comparison”.
Sorry to disappoint you, but the food was excellent. Those who know me know I’m something of a fettuccine chicken alfredo connoisseur, and I must say that it was divine. It was hot, it was tasty, and it was plentiful. For the vegetarians or chicken-dislikers, the chicken is completely separate from all pastas. That goes for the spaghetti too, which had the sauce and meatballs ready-to-add next to the pasta itself.
The salad and breadsticks reminded me of Olive Garden, which, as anyone will tell you, are amazingly awesome. Rock on Stella’s for your awesome food, for I was quite pleased.
The show
I had never heard of “The Fantasticks,” so I did what any technologically adept person would do – I Googled it. Turns out, it is this super famous play that was the longest Off-Brodway show in history. Who knew? It is merely a simple stage, some props, and some very talented actors setting the scene for a very interesting love story.
In short, two meddling fathers hatch a plan to make their children fall in love by pretending to feud endlessly and force their children to meet secretly. As secrecy will do, it was so exciting for the two children that they fall deeply in love. To seal the deal, the fathers decide to hire a professional to “kidnap” Louisa, the daughter, which would allow Matt, the son to rescue her and bring the “feuding” families together.
After this abduction takes place, they all began to feud for real, causing pain and tearing Matt and Louisa apart. I won’t spoil the ending, but through music and amazing use of props, a story is told that tells us to remember the good times, and use those memories when times aren’t so wonderful.
The cast
Let me say first that Janice Murphy and Patty Stewart took on quite a job finding the right actors and actresses to bring life to these characters written more than a half-century ago. Their choices were all so attractive and charismatic, that it is hard not to brag about how talented our local community is.
In example, there is Melissa Stewart, who plays the mute character so-aptly named “Mute.” The moment she walked under the spotlight, it was plain to see she was absolutely beautiful. Still a junior at Chisago Lakes Baptist School, it is hard to believe this young woman is her age. For most of the play, she handles the props and helps set the scene, all the while remaining completely silent.
“It was hard for me,” said Stewart, “I am social and love to talk, and it (playing a mute) was definitely a stretch for my abilities.” I thought she did a great job, and adds a mysterious quality to the cast.
Luisa, played by the adorable Ashley Lanyon, was a character that demanded attention. Lanyon pulled it off so well that I actually believed she was a “spoiled princess”. Well, a “spoiled princess” with awesome vocals and the ability to belt it when she needed the right energy. Lanyon plans on continuing her study of acting in college, and will be someone our community should keep its eyes on.
Dan Hazel, who I have had the pleasure of meeting many times throughout his young acting career, played the gawky yet confident Matt.
“It’s always fun feeling apart of something so magical,” said Hazel.
For those of you who watch the television show “House,” he is a young version of Wilson, who interestingly enough began his career on Broadway. Coincidence? I think not. If he keeps this up, we’ll all be watching him collect Emmy awards someday.
The rest of the cast added vibrancy to the night. The two feuding fathers, played by Bill Roman and Keith Russell, played off one another beautifully. At times their choreography was a little off, but they made up for it with their comradery on stage.
Paul Reitzel, who portrayed Henry, was clever with his representation of a man who played sidekick to the abductor. Tony Nobles, who played Henry’s sidekick Mortimer, was hilarious. His side commentary and spot-on Cockney-slang dialect made me giggle every time he had anything to say.
I’d especially like to highlight the performance of Nathan A. Hoarn, who played El Gallo, the professional abductor. His eyes glowed brighter than the stage lights themselves, and when he opened his mouth to sing, this amazing voice came forth from it that I was definitely not expecting. He blew me away.
The bottom line is, if you don’t go to this play for the food or for the storyline, go to this play to see Nathan A. Hoarn. He was brilliant.
The artistic staff should also be highlighted, because they did a phenomenal job with this production. Director Jill Alton did wonderfully uniting these actors and bringing them together to give this story to an eager audience. Lighting designer Jay Schuller should be commended as well. It is not easy to light a stage with such precision, and I was very impressed by the “lightening” and the “moonlight.” Kudos.
My only complaint about the entire show was the accompaniment. Not because Karen Hillmann or Marti Steek weren’t talented, (they were gifted and amazing) it’s just that the keyboards weren’t as bold as the rest of the play was. The stage isn’t large, but with such an energetic cast and amazing vocals and lighting, I felt like I was one lucky patron who got a front row seat at a real Broadway play.
But when the keyboards were being played, their amplification and actual sound was weak and brought me back to reality – which shouldn’t happen until the play is done.
With that said, I think everything else in this play is fantastic...no pun intended, honest! I think for all those husbands, fiancés, and boyfriends who feel like they are being dragged to see some lame play, take my advice and go gladly. The food rocks, the play has something for everybody and for the of-agers, there is a full bar available during dinner and during intermission.
How much better can your date night be? This is especially true for all of you men who didn’t do so well on Valentine’s Day. This is a great opportunity to make up for it, and way less expensive than dinner and a movie these days. It is also appropriate for children, so bring the entire family if you like!
Performances run February 22-23, 29 and March 1. The matinee show begins at 2 p.m., and the evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets that include dinner and the show for adults are $25 and $20 for kids age 12 years old and under or seniors age 60 years old and over.
If you wish to opt out of the dinner, tickets can be purchased for the show only for $18. Tickets can be purchased at The Yellow Bus Children’s Shoppe or at the door. Stella’s is located on TH-97; formerly Dummy’s.
More information can be found online at http://www.masquerstheatre.org/ or call (651) 464-5823.
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Michelle Olson, a student at Forest Lake High School in the Agriculture Education program, was recently honored with the Governor’s Certificate of Commendation.
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